[Bonus chapter] Thank You Note (2)

Arielle finally finished her letter. When she was happy with the results, she folded the letter carefully then gave it to William.

"Please give this to His Majesty," Arielle said with a smile. "Thank you for your help, William."

William accepted the letter solemnly. Then he placed his hand on his chest and said, "I hereby risk my life, no matter what happens, this letter will arrive at the hands of His Majesty the King."

Arielle chuckled as she found William's joke just now quite adorable. William and Lucas were finally allowed to resign. Meanwhile, Arielle was left comfortable as she sat by the fire with her new friends.

***

Lucas and William walked hand in hand, as they left Whitethorn Palace. The sky outside had darkened, and the two of them passed some priests students who had just returned from work outside the palace.

It was snowing again, and Lucas wrapped his coat tighter as he crossed the gardens to the Blackthorn Palace.

"You really are courting death, William," Lucas said half chuckling when he saw Princess Arielle's letter in the man's hand.

"You know, I think Princess Arielle has potential," William raised an eyebrow.

"What potential?"

"Conquering a Ronan D. Blackthorn."

"Shhh! You are too casual to speak of His Majesty the King as your friend."

"But he is indeed my friend, my distant cousin," William shrugged. "We even attended the same school when we were kids."

Lucas shut his mouth tightly. William was indeed a distant cousin of His Majesty the King. As a great knight, the man severed ties with his family many years ago and chose to follow King Ronan.

Lucas also spent a long time being one of the king's assistants, but he didn't serve long enough to find out what conflict made William leave his family. The last thing Lucas knew, William's family was kicked out of Northerndell. Lucas shook his head, not wanting to think about it. It was not in his realm to interfere.

"By the way, isn't Princess Arielle too good for our king?" asked William which invited a chuckle from Lucas.

"What are you saying? Earlier, you said Princess Arielle could conquer His Majesty the King, but now you said Princess Arielle is too good for him?" Lucas furrowed his brows. "Make up your mind."

"I'm serious! You saw earlier, Princess Arielle attentively asked me to sit by the fire so I wouldn't get cold because she said that she saw me cold after chasing the rabbits. It was ...wow... I even got goosebumps because it was the first time I have received such a kind gesture from someone."

Lucas was still laughing, but he nodded in agreement with William's words.

"Princess Arielle is indeed very kind. That full moon night, she even invited me to eat with her and told me to wait inside for fear that I might catch a cold."

"Really? Wow... she is so kind." William clicked his tongue. His admiration for Arielle grew even more.

"Yes, she is. Many servants in Whitethorn Palace like the princess because of her kindness. Chef Michael even now always praises the princess, asking to be taught new recipes."

"Head of the kitchen? Since when did that cocky guy wish someone to teach him?"

"Since two days ago, when Princess Arielle started to prepare breakfast for His Majesty the King."

William was completely blown away by Lucas' story about the girl.

"A princess came to the kitchen?" he asked, still in disbelief.

Lucas nodded. They continued to walk down together while they conversed about Princess Arielle and King Ronan. However, since their destinations were different, the two men waved their hands goodbye and parted in different directions.

William walked down the hall and still felt his admiration for Princess Arielle. He looked down at the letter in his hand.

"I think I know Princess Arielle's charm is that makes that man often leave his royal duties," he muttered to himself.

William arrived at Ronan's study. Without knocking, he opened the door casually. Ronan was still wearing his mask. William greeted the man.

"Where have you been? Why does transporting the animals take so long?" Ronan grumbled.

"Relax, Your Majesty. I'm not Princess Arielle, so don't miss me too much," William teased, which made Ronan grumble. He didn't know what the king said but William didn't care.

He held out a letter from Princess Arielle.

"What's this?" asked Ronan. He eyed it with some suspicion because the letter looked so simple. There was no envelope or royal insignia like the formal letters that William always gave him.

"I know you are very tired today. So I brought you something to restore your stamina," he said.

Ronan looked at William with a frown. The man seemed too cheerful for someone who had complained about being tasked with catching rabbits until he almost caught frostbite.

After Ronan held the letter, William was allowed to leave the room.

The king opened the letter and frowned. He didn't recognize the handwriting. The ink strokes looked quite awkward. It was like someone who was new to writing and too hesitant to scribble on paper.

"Ah..."

It didn't take long for Ronan to find out who sent the letter. His lips immediately curved up into a big smile. The man took off his mask and let out a long sigh.

Ronan rubbed his overly radiant face. He shook his head in disbelief that getting a 'thank you note' would make him this happy. The king rested his chin on one palm and continued to stare at the handwriting.

He chuckled, feeling amused at seeing the adorable heart and flowers on the paper. Ronan was unable to concentrate on work anymore.

[Thank you for your kindness, Your Majesty.]

The man spread his arms and felt energy suddenly fill his whole being. He could now finish the rest of the work that had piled up that day.

Oh, by the way, he decided to give orders to William to make him a small frame. Ronan wanted to frame the letter to keep in his room.